Excretory System


ü The excretory system is responsible for removing waste products from the body. These wastes must be removed for the body to stay healthy. The skin, kidneys, large intestine, and the liver are all the organs that help excrete waste from the body when you eat or drink something.
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ü The major parts of the excretory system include the lungs, the kidneys, the urinary bladder, the ureters, and the urethra.
  1. The lungs excrete carbon dioxide from the body to bring in oxygen.

  1. The kidneys are used to excrete urine from the body. The Kidneys remove substances from blood to form urine.

  1. The Urinary Bladder is a part of the urinary system that stores urine until it is excreted from the body through the urethra.

  1. The ureters are small tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder

  1. The Urethra is the final part of the excretory system that carries urine from the urinary bladder to outside of the body.

ü Dialysis is used for filtering harmful wastes such as salt and excess water out of the blood when the kidneys can’t. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen, called the peritoneal membrane, to filter the blood. Hemodialysis does it with a machine. In peritoneal dialysis, a fluid called dialysate fills the abdomen, absorbs the waste products, and the abdomen is then emptied. In hemodialysis, the blood is taken through a machine. It goes through fibers and the fibers have a solution that cleans the blood. The clean blood is then returned.

ü4 Fun Facts About the Excretory and Endocrine Systems



  • Kidney Beans were named after the kidneys which are a similar shape and color.
  • You’d die in a day if your liver stopped working.
  • About 440 gallons of blood flow through the kidneys each and every day. Also, ¼ of your blood supply goes through your kidneys every minute.
  • The pancreas is shaped like a gun.


Functions of the Endocrine System


ü There are 8 major functions of the endocrine system which include: Water balance; Uterine contractions and milk release; Growth, metabolism and tissue maturations; Ion regulation; Heart rate and blood pressure regulation; Blood glucose control; Immune system regulation; and finally Reproductive functions control.
  1. Water Balance – The endocrine system regulates water balance by controlling the concentration of the blood’s solute.
  2. Uterine contractions and milk release – During the delivery of a baby, the endocrine system regulates uterine contractions and lets the milk in the breasts of the lactating mother be released.
  3. Growth, metabolism and tissue maturation – The Endocrine system controls a lot of tissue growth such as muscle tissue and bone tissue. It also controls the metabolism of these tissues. This helps to keep a normal body temperature and normal mental functions. The maturation of these tissues result is adult features and behavior developing.
  4. Ion regulation – The endocrine system regulates the concentrations of K+, Na+, and Ca2+ in the blood.
  5. Heart rate and blood pressure regulation – To prepare for physical activity, the endocrine system aids in regulating the heart rate and blood pressure.
  6. Blood glucose control – It controls the amount of glucose and nutrients in the blood.
  7. Immune system regulation – The endocrine system aids in controlling the immune cells production and function.
  8. Reproductive functions control – The endocrine system controls the reproductive system’s development and function in both genders.

ü Hormones are chemical substances secreted into the blood by endocrine tissues. They act on a target tissue to create a specific response and regulate the functions of the cells and organs.
  • Estrogen- sex hormone in the female body, which causes puberty and controls the menstrual cycle
  • Testosterone- causes changes at puberty and stimulates sperm production
  • Insulin- created by the pancreas to decrease blood sugar
  • Thyroxine- controls the rate of metabolism
  • Adrenaline- prepares body for rapid activity by increasing the heart rate and level of sugar in blood and diverting blood to the muscles and the brain
  • Progesterone- maintains the lining of the womb and suppresses FSH production in the pituitary gland
  • anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)- controls the blood water level by triggering the uptake of water in the kidneys
  • follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-Triggers egg ripening and estrogen production in ovaries.
  • luteinising hormone (LH)- Triggers egg release and progesterone production in ovaries.Made up of Amino acids, peptides, proteins and cholesterol
ü How an organism regulates its internal environment to elp it maintain stable conditions to help I survive. It is also when cells hav and equilibrium. All living things have it.

ü Your pancreas produces the hormones insulin and glucagon. Insulin is released to lower the blood glucose. It stimulates your body cells and makes them use and store glucose. Glucagon makes body cells release stored glucose molecules. It is also a control mechanism for when your body produces too much insulin. When your blood sugar levels get too high, most of the glucose is stored in the liver, but extra glucose is stored in muscles. In a liver, 60% of the cells are hepatic cells. They convert sugars and then store them and release them as they are needed. This helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

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